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Yuan Wuhuo has never been closer to achieving his goal, and yet so far away. His fight with Ji Ling, and his resulting capture had brought him into the heart of the Shilin sect, albeit as a prisoner. He hadn’t worried, not when he knew exactly how he would escape. Not when he knew Li Jie would seek answers from him about his identity. It went exactly as he had anticipated, though Li Jie had put up a good fight. Yuan Wuhuo had managed to subdue him with no harm to the body he now inhabited.
The Shilin sect still believed him to be Li Jie, Ji Ling included. How could they doubt him, when he had passed their little test? While this meant he could stand by Ji Ling’s side, he had yet to find an opportunity to free him from the shackles of his obligation. Searching through Li Jie’s memories yielded nothing either; it was clear his devotion had lead to romantic ideations, but he had never acted on them, even though Yuan Wuhuo suspected he wouldn’t be rebuffed.
He could use that to his advantage.
Ji Ling was quite attractive; it would be no hardship to approach him with the intent to bed him. And once he had, it would leave the false Dragon Deity vulnerable. He just needed the right opportunity, one that Lu Wuyi may have just dropped in his lap. Ji Ling was obviously covering for her, and had ‘stolen’ her away, running off in an attempt to hide her transgressions. It had left his wretched little group in shambles, torn as to who to believe.
That meant in order to enact his plan he had to first find Ji Ling. But Li Jie may prove useful in this, too; that pining fool didn’t realize he was what was left of the original Yuan Wuhuo’s obsession to keep Ji Ling safe. Much like Yuan Wuhuo’s compulsion was to free Ji Ling from his suffering, Li Jie’s was to protect him from harm. That compulsion would always lead to Ji Ling in an effort to keep him safe.
This time it would lead Yuan Wuhuo to him, too.
He could hear it, the little almost-voice, fluttering at the edge of his mind. How grating. He had only heard it for the few days that he had inhabited Li Jie’s body; he couldn’t imagine how insufferable it would be to listen to it for years. Not that it seemed Li Jie minded. If anything, he found pleasure in knowing he could find Ji Ling as long as they both lived. It set Yuan Wuhuo’s teeth on edge.
Ji Ling wasn’t too far; if he left now, he would get there well before the sun rose in the morning. Yuan Wuhuo made sure he wouldn’t be stopped, either, telling Wu Shiguang he didn’t trust Lu Wuyi alone with Ji Ling. Planting doubt in his mind regarding the safety of the one remaining fragment of his power will keep Wu Shiguang occupied and away from Yuan Wuhuo’s machinations. Wu Wangyan was a bit more difficult to sway, but in the end, the guilt she felt over her hand in it all made sure she would help keep Mu Long safe instead of following after him.
Yuan Wuhuo follows the voice outside of town, far away from prying eyes and curious gossips. It makes perfect sense why that Ji Ling would choose to escape to somewhere private; just in case he was wrong to trust Lu Wuyi, he wouldn’t want an audience to her betrayal. Finally he finds Ji Ling outside of a dilapidated building. Alone.
“You knew I was here?”
Ji Ling is clearly surprised to see him, eyes wide in disbelief. Beneath the shock, however, is something more, something soft, fragile. It looks like the same emotion Li Jie often felt around Ji Ling. It looks like love. If he plays his cards right he’ll have Ji Ling right where he wants him in no time. Yuan Wuhuo puts on his best imitation of Li Jie, all doe-eyed adoration and fond smiles.
“Have you forgotten how I found you in the first place?” he asks, eyes downcast, smiling as if reminiscing, “All these years later, that obsession is still in me, telling me to go find you. And somehow I always do.”
Ji Ling looks taken aback. Yuan Wuhuo isn’t done.
“I wonder if I’ll ever be able to figure out where that obsession comes from.”
It’s a shame that Li Jie never learned who he was. If he had, maybe he would have had a better chance at stopping him. It was too late now.
“Li Jie, do you blame me for lying to you?”
He shakes his head.
“Though I don’t know your true intentions, I have always known what kind of person you are. In all the years I’ve stayed by your side, a lot of the time I didn’t understand your choices or intentions. But I knew you must have had reasons you couldn’t speak of. I will always be your shield and your blade.”
Maybe he was laying it on thick, but Ji Ling didn’t notice, smiling softly at ‘Li Jie’s’ confession. Good; Yuan Wuhuo has him right where he wants him. Now to up the ante, give him something he wants. Something that will get him to let his guard down. He gives Ji Ling an open, pleading look.
“Daren,” he murmurs.
Ji Ling turns to him, awaiting his next words.
“If I may be so bold to make a request.”
“Of course, Li Jie. It’s the least I can do.”
Yuan Wuhuo gives him a shy expression, like he’s embarrassed. If only he could blush on command.
“Daren, would you grant me the opportunity to pleasure you?”
Ji Ling flushes a brilliant red from his hair down nearly to the collar of his robes. Perhaps he was too forward, but he wasn’t going to get anywhere if he were to tiptoe around it. It would only be a minor setback. He’s just going to have to work around any hesitations that Ji Ling may have.
“Li Jie! You—I—we—we cant! It would be too inappropriate. Besides, I could never live with myself if I were to take advantage of you.”
“Daren, you wouldn’t be taking advantage. I want to do this for you. Unless…”
His eyelashes flutter, his lip nearly quivering. Yuan Wuhuo is the very image of hurt. He can tell it has the intended effect, Ji Ling distraught at the prospect of hurting Li Jie.
“Unless you don’t want to. I apologize, daren; I was too forward.”
He bows and takes a half-step back, as if leaving. Ji Ling steps forward, arm outstretched towards him.
“Wait, Li Jie!”
Yuan Wuhuo pauses, suppressing a grin at how well Ji Ling had played into his hand, looking to him hopefully. Ji Ling takes a deep breath, brows furrowing.
“I don’t ever want to pressure you. Regardless of what I want.”
He can’t say he’s surprised by the confession, but Yuan Wuhuo would be remiss not to use this to gain an advantage.
“You aren’t pressuring me, daren. I want to serve you in this way, too. It would make me so happy.”
Li Jie would mean it, too, so nauseatingly devoted as he was. Even to be used only as a toy, left unsatisfied after bringing Ji Ling to climax, would be something he would enjoy. Yuan Wuhuo was not so magnanimous as to forsake his own pleasure. No, he would get what he wanted before he was done. He takes a step forward, testing the waters. This close he can hear the way Ji Ling’s breath hitches, a flush darkening across his cheekbones.
“May I, daren? I really want to please you.”
Ji Ling looks in his eyes, conflicted. The choice he has to make should be easy; the object of his affection stands before him, offering himself up in service of Ji Ling’s pleasure. Yet he can see the choice weighing on him. Yuan Wuhuo feels the immense weight of his mission; that Ji Ling would deny himself even a modicum of pleasure, shared with someone he cares for, speaks volumes as to how restrained he found himself by his responsibility. He hoped to change that tonight, to free him of that restraint. Permanently.
“Ji Ling,” he says, finally making up his mind, “I’ll grant you this if you call me Ji Ling.”
It warms something in him to see Ji Ling choose himself. Yuan Wuhuo wonders if this is the first selfish choice he’s made since swallowing the dragon scale. He doesn’t have to pretend when he smiles this time.
“Thank you, Ji Ling.”
Yuan Wuhuo wastes no more time, pulling Ji Ling into a gentle kiss. It’s clumsy, Ji Ling stilted in the way that only comes from being unused to allowing yourself the touch of another. Even still it’s pleasant, feeling the softness of Ji Ling’s lips on his. He keeps the kiss chaste to begin, if only to not frighten Ji Ling away.
Ji Ling is the one to break their kiss, breathing heavily, hands fisted in the front of Yuan Wuhuo’s robes to hide the way he trembles. If he’s this undone by a little kissing Yuan Wuhuo isn’t sure he’ll make it through what he has planned. He smiles warmly, pressing a kiss to the corner of Ji Ling’s mouth, gently prying his hands from his robe.
“I’ll go slow.”
He takes a step back and undoes his robe, sliding it off and laying it out on the ground. Immediately Ji Ling zeroes in on his chest, clearly staring. It’s no surprise; both Ji Ling and the puppet liked seeing his chest, according to Li Jie’s memories. It was the reason he often chose the robes he did. It was also the reason Yuan Wuhuo chose the robe he wore tonight.
“You’re allowed to touch. I want you to.”
Holding out his hand, Yuan Wuhuo offers Ji Ling the opportunity to touch. Ji Ling flushes, eyes snapping to Yuan Wuhuo’s face, ashamed of being caught. It was silly for him to be so worried; that he likes Li Jie’s chest is exactly why Yuan Wuhuo is partially undressed. Seeing that Ji Ling wasn’t going to make the choice himself he grabs his hand, placing Ji Ling’s palm against the muscle of his pectoral.
“Oh! Li Jie, what—”
Still holding Ji Ling’s hand to his chest, Yuan Wuhuo presses it further against him, Ji Ling now practically squeezing him, fingers resting ticklishly against his nipple.
“Why deny yourself? I’m more than willing.”
Something in Ji Ling snaps then, his resolve shattering as he grabs the back of Yuan Wuhuo’s head to drag him into a hungry kiss. This was what Yuan Wuhuo wanted. He pushes his tongue into Ji Ling’s mouth, lapping at him before retreating to bite his lower lip. The way Ji Ling groans is delightful, music to his ears. He wants to wreck him, to reduce Ji Ling to a sobbing mess, desperate for the pleasure he offers.
Yuan Wuhuo’s hands settle on Ji Ling’s waist, sliding to the tie holding his robes together, asking a silent question. Ji Ling whines against his mouth, nodding frantically when they part for air. He unties the gauzy layers, peeling back the silk until his skin was on display. His mouth is back on Ji Ling’s as he disrobes him, gathering the layers to use along with his own as their makeshift bed. It would be more comfortable than the bare ground.
He pushes gently at Ji Ling to sit down, following him to the ground when he complies. Yuan Wuhuo toys with Ji Ling’s nipples, pinching and petting in turn, kissing him softly to drink up the way he whines. It’s delightful to watch as Ji Ling squirms under the attention.
“Li Jie!”
Growing impatient, Yuan Wuhuo slides his hand down Ji Ling’s abdomen, stopping at the waistband of his trousers, fingertips teasing the soft skin where it hides behind the silk. Ji Ling lifts his hips, letting Yuan Wuhuo slide his trousers down his legs. Now nude, Ji Ling’s bashfulness returns, legs clamped tightly together. Yuan Wuhuo wants to see the treasure that lies between his thighs.
“There’s no need to be nervous, Ji Ling. I want to make you feel good.”
He rubs Ji Ling’s knee, hoping to coax him into letting him touch. It works, Ji Ling slowly spreading his legs, revealing soft curls and slick folds. Pretty, just like the rest of him, flushed pink, swollen clit peeking out from it’s hood. It made Yuan Wuhuo throb in sympathy, unable to look away.
“You’re so beautiful.”
Yuan Wuhuo meant it; Ji Ling was lovely, flushed with arousal and anticipation. He divests himself of his trousers as well, resisting the urge to touch himself to take the edge off. He’ll have his chance to take his pleasure later. First he wanted to make Ji Ling cry. He settles in between Ji Ling’s thighs, preventing him from closing them again. This close he can really see how wet Ji Ling is from what little they’ve done so far. Not that Yuan Wuhuo can judge; he doesn’t know if it’s his own arousal at the prospect of defiling the Dragon Deity or Li Jie’s romantic notions seeping through, but he’s dripping too.
Ji Ling cries out as Yuan Wuhuo slides two fingers up through his slick arousal to circle his clit, hips chasing the sensation. He doesn’t let up, fingers rubbing firm around the bud, leaning down to mouth at Ji Ling’s neck. Yuan Wuhuo can’t explain the reason he wants to mark the smooth skin, laying claim. If this all goes to plan, Ji Ling will be dead, and Yuan Wuhuo will follow shortly after once the compulsion driving him was satisfied. He does it anyways, sucking bruises under Ji Ling’s jaw; it may not matter in the end, but it matters to him now.
Yuan Wuhuo throbs, cunt achingly empty. But he’s not ready to give in to his desire, not until he can make Ji Ling come first. He has time to enjoy himself; there wasn’t anyone who would interrupt them, as distracted as his little ragtag team of misfits was. His fingers speed up, Ji Ling growing louder as he squirms under him.
“Li Jie, I—Li Jie!”
Ji Ling clutches at Yuan Wuhuo, gasping as he trembles. He must be close; Yuan Wuhuo holds steady, fingertips gliding across Ji Ling’s clit, the sound of Ji Ling’s wetness loud enough to hear over the way he pants in Yuan Wuhuo’s ear. Finally Ji Ling tenses, coming with a cry, his grip on Yuan Wuhuo tight enough to leave finger-shaped bruises in his wake. Yuan Wuhuo relishes the way he can feel Ji Ling’s clit pulse with his orgasm as he works him through it.
He comes down slowly, body relaxing against the layers of silk under him. Ji Ling’s hands pet across his chest, fingers stroking across a nipple, making Yuan Wuhuo shiver as the touch sends pleasure pooling low. He’s so wet, clenching around nothing.
“How do I make you feel good, too?”
Ji Ling’s question draws him back to the moment, hand trailing down past Yuan Wuhuo’s navel. The soft touch is enough to leave goosebumps trailing in its wake, Yuan Wuhuo trembling in anticipation.
“Here. Hold your hand like this.”
He shows Ji Ling with his own hand, palm up, index and pointer finger pointing upward. Ji Ling follows his guidance, hand mirroring Yuan Wuhuo’s own.
“Good. Now hold it still.”
Yuan Wuhuo kneels above Ji Ling’s hand before sinking down on his fingers, breathing out a shaky exhale. It feels incredible, especially after denying himself for so long; he has to suppress a moan at how it feels. He rides Ji Ling’s fingers, clenching around them, grinding his clit against Ji Ling’s palm. The slide is easy inside him, slick and firm, the warmth of his palm almost cupping his clit with each thrust of Yuan Wuhuo’s hips. Ji Ling watches with rapt attention, eyes focused on the space between Yuan Wuhuo’s thighs.
Ji Ling’s thighs rub together as he watches, tongue peeking out from kiss-swollen lips. Yuan Wuhuo moans as he grinds harshly against his palm, the knowledge that Ji Ling found pleasure in watching Yuan Wuhuo take pleasure in him making the sensation so much better. He’s so close, aching for relief.
“Crook your fingers just a bit as I sit down.”
Ji Ling takes to his instruction well, fingers pressing firmly right where Yuan Wuhuo wants them. Pleasure zips up his spine, suppressing a whine. He speeds up, chasing his climax, panting heavily as he trembles. Finally the dam breaks, Yuan Wuhuo shuddering with a groan, clenching rhythmically around Ji Ling’s fingers as he comes.
Coming down from the high he hears Ji Ling whimper, followed by the slick sound of his fingers on his clit. It was delightful to hear Ji Ling choose himself and his own pleasure again. He raises up, Ji Ling’s fingers slipping free, and moves to straddle his thigh. Yuan Wuhuo kisses him soundly, slipping his hand between Ji Ling’s legs to join him.
He presses two fingers to Ji Ling’s cunt, teasing, fingertips dipping shallowly inside him. It has the intended effect, Ji Ling moaning against Yuan Wuhuo’s mouth. His fingers slip inside, the tight, wet heat of him sucking Yuan Wuhuo in. Ji Ling keens, his own fingers rubbing frantically on his clit. Yuan Wuhuo grinds against the firmness of his thigh, his own arousal making the slide nearly frictionless.
Fingering Ji Ling is its own pleasure, watching as tears well along his lash line at the overwhelm, sensation making him whine and beg.
“Li Jie! Please, Li Jie! More!”
Ji Ling squirms under his skillful ministrations, crying out as Yuan Wuhuo gives him what he asks for, fingers pressing against that tender place within him and rubbing.
“Li Jie!”
Ji Ling wails as he comes, cunt fluttering around Yuan Wuhuo’s fingers. He’s beautiful, skin flushed with pleasure, eyes sparkling with unshed tears. The vision before him makes Yuan Wuhuo ache once more. Suddenly he’s overcome with the strange desire to have him completely.
“Ji Ling,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to his lips.
He sits up, settling between Ji Ling’s legs. Yuan Wuhuo slides him leg under Ji Ling’s, tossing the other over Ji Ling’s thigh.
“Li Jie, what—”
Yuan Wuhuo hushes him, then shifts, slotting them together. It’s just as wonderful as Yuan Wuhuo imagined, better even. The slick slide of them together is enough to rob him of any thought that wasn’t Ji Ling, Ji Ling, Ji Ling. He moves his hips and moans, the sensation mind blowing. Ji Ling is so wet against him; Yuan Wuhuo bites his lip hard enough to draw blood in an attempt to delay the inevitable.
Ji Ling fares no better, pupils blown, face red with arousal. His hips rock in time with the rhythm Yuan Wuhuo set, moaning as their clits brush together. Yuan Wuhuo wonders briefly if Ji Ling can feel they way his throbs as they press together.
He gets his answer moments later. His climax takes him by surprise, cunt pulsing as it grows wetter between them, Yuan Wuhuo gasping as he’s flooded with pleasure, shaking apart. Ji Ling whimpers below him, hands clutching at his arms.
“Oh, Li Jie, I can—I can feel you, can feel you c—”
Yuan Wuhuo pushes past the sensitivity he feels, refusing to flinch away from the feeling of Ji Ling slick and hot against him. He wants to experience Ji Ling’s orgasm, the soft heat of him fluttering in ecstasy against Yuan Wuhuo. It doesn’t take much before he’s gasping, spine arching off the ground as he comes. It’s unlike anything he’s felt before, Ji Ling’s throbbing clit nestled against his.
He wants to feel it again and again and again.
“Please, Li Jie,” Ji Ling pleads, tears finally escaping, “Please, I want more.”
In this moment, he would give Ji Ling anything. He maneuvers them again until Ji Ling is fully under him again. With a tender kiss, he slips his hand through the shared wetness between Ji Ling’s thighs before pressing his fingers back inside. Ji Ling sighs, eyelashes fluttering in pleasure.
—
It’s dawn by the time they’re done, the soaked silk of their ruined robes clinging to them. Yuan Wuhuo feels sated, sticky and relaxed; one look at Ji Ling confirms he likely feels the same, legs splayed open to display enticingly reddened skin, neck and chest littered with purpling bruises. Now to complete his mission, the very task he came here for.
Killing Ji Ling.
It would take no time at all to end his suffering. And yet, Yuan Wuhuo can’t find it within himself to do so. Ji Ling had just spent hours choosing himself, choosing his pleasure. He had chosen selfishly for once. Yuan Wuhuo slides his hand up Ji Ling’s chest to rest against his collarbone.
Ji Ling bats his eyes open, smiling as he catches Yuan Wuhuo staring. He seems oblivious to the danger he’s in. How easy it would be to crush his windpipe, leaving him gasping for air he would never get.
Suddenly the thought makes him sick to his stomach.
Yuan Wuhuo can’t bear to think of it, not when Ji Ling is pressed against his side, skin warm against his own. Not when he saw how beautiful Ji Ling was when he chose himself.
“Li Jie?”
He’s drawn from his thoughts, looking at Ji Ling’s furrowed brow. He smooths it with his thumb, curious as to why Ji Ling looked so concerned.
“Hm?”
“What are you thinking about?”
How easy it would be to kill you in this moment. How I should, so you can be free of the obligations that should have never been yours. How I can’t bring myself to do it.
Instead he says, “About how you should live well, free of burdens. This life wasn’t yours to bear.”
Ji Ling frowns, brow furrowing once more, lower lip pulled into a pout. Yuan Wuhuo wants to kiss that frown away.
“I wouldn’t have met you otherwise. I think it was worth it, to have you by my side.”
Emotion overcomes Yuan Wuhuo, blinking to chase away the sting of tears. Ji Ling had said it so openly, without remorse. He’s reminded that Ji Ling still believes him to be Li Jie, still believes that he’s safe. How cruel that fate has abandoned Ji Ling to a life of loneliness. Yuan Wuhuo kisses Ji Ling, soft and tender, pouring all the emotion he didn’t want to acknowledge into it.
“You aren’t alone, Ji Ling. You’ll always have me. Remember that.”
He could be Li Jie, just a little while longer.